'Hurricane Isabel' was the costliest and deadliest
hurricane in the
2003 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth tropical storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed from a
tropical wave on
September 6 in the tropical
Atlantic Ocean. It moved northwestward, and within an environment of light wind shear and warm waters it steadily strengthened to reach peak winds of 165 mph (265 km/h) on
September 11. After fluctuating in intensity for four days, Isabel gradually weakened and made landfall on the
Outer Banks of
North Carolina with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) on
September 18. It quickly weakened over land and became
extratropical over western
Pennsylvania the next day.
In
North Carolina, the storm surge from Isabel washed out a portion of
Hatteras Island to form what was unofficially known as
Isabel Inlet. Damage was greatest along the
Outer Banks, where thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed. The worst of the effects of Isabel occurred in the Commonwealth of
Virginia, which reported the most deaths and damage from the hurricane. About 64% of the damage and 68% of the deaths occurred in the two states alone.
Moderate to severe damage extended up the
Atlantic Coastline and as far inland as
West Virginia. Roughly 6 million were left without power in the eastern United States from the strong winds of Isabel. Rainfall from the storm extended from
South Carolina to
Maine, and westward to
Michigan. Throughout the path of Isabel, damage totaled about $3.6 billion (2003 USD, $3.95 billion 2006 USD). 16 deaths in seven states were directly related to the hurricane, with 35 deaths in six states and one province indirectly related to the hurricane.
Storm history
A
tropical wave moved off the coast of
Africa on
September 1.
[1] An
area of low pressure associated with the wave moved slowly westward, and its convection initially appeared to become better organized.
[2] On
September 3, as it passed to the south of the
Cape Verde islands, organization within the system degraded,
[3] though convection increased the next day.
[4] The system gradually became better organized, and
Dvorak classifications began early on
September 5. Based on the development of a closed surface circulation, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen early on
September 6. Hours later, it intensified into Tropical Storm Isabel,
though operationally the
National Hurricane Center did not begin issuing advisories until 13 hours after it first developed.
[5]
Located within an area of light
wind shear and warm waters, Isabel gradually organized as curved bands developed around a circular area of deep convection near the center.
[6] It steadily strengthened as it moved to the west-northwest, and Isabel strengthened to a hurricane on
September 7 subsequent to the development of a large, yet ragged
eye located near the deepest convection.
[7] The eye, overall convective pattern, and outflow steadily improved in organization,
[8] and deep convection quickly surrounded the -wide eye.
[9] Isabel intensified on
September 8 to reach major hurricane status while located 1,300 miles (2,100 km) east-northeast of
Barbuda. On
September 9, Isabel reached a primary peak intensity of 135 mph (215 km/h) for around 24 hours, a Category 4 hurricane on the
Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Early on
September 10, the eyewall became less defined, the convection near the eye became eroded, and northeasterly outflow became slightly restricted.
[10] As a result, Isabel weakened slightly to a Category 3 hurricane. The hurricane turned more to the west due to the influence of the
Bermuda-Azores High.
Later on September 10, Isabel restrengthened to a Category 4 hurricane after convection deepened near the increasingly organizing eyewall.
[ Hurricane Isabel Discussion Nineteen Stewart ] The hurricane continued to intensify, and Isabel reached its peak intensity of 165 mph (270 km/h) on
September 11, a
Category 5 hurricane on the
Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Due to an
eyewall replacement cycle, Isabel weakened slightly, though it retained Category 5 status for 24 hours.
[11] As Isabel underwent another eyewall replacement cycle, outflow degraded in appearance and convection around the eye weakened,
[12] and early on
September 13 Isabel weakened to a strong Category 4 hurricane. A weakness in the ridge to its north allowed the hurricane to turn to the west-northwest.
After completing the replacement cycle, the hurricane's large 40 mile (65 km) wide eye became better defined,
[13] and late on the 13th Isabel re-attained Category 5 status.
A Reconnaissance Aircraft
dropsonde into the hurricane measured an instantaneous wind speed of , the strongest instantaneous wind speed recorded in an
Atlantic hurricane.
[14] Cloud tops warmed again shortly thereafter,
[15] and Isabel weakened to a strong Category 4 hurricane early on
September 14. Later that day, it re-organized, and for the third time it attained Category 5 status while located 400 miles (650 km) north of
San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Cloud tops around the center resulted in Isabel weakening to a Category 4 hurricane early on
September 15.
Later that day, the inner core of deep convection began to deteriorate while the eye decayed in appearance. As a
ridge to its northwest build southeastward, it resulted in Isabel decelerating as it turned to the north-northwest.
[16] Increasing vertical
wind shear contributed in weakening the hurricane further, and Isabel weakened to a Category 2 hurricane on
September 16 while located 645 miles (1035 km) southeast of
Cape Hatteras,
North Carolina.
Convection remained minimal, though outflow retained excellent organization,
[17] and Isabel remained a Category 2 hurricane for 2 days until making landfall between
Cape Lookout and
Ocracoke Island on
September 18 with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). It weakened after it made landfall, though due to its fast forward motion Isabel remained a hurricane until reaching western
Virginia early on
September 19. After passing through
West Virginia as a tropical storm, Isabel became
extratropical over western
Pennsylvania. Later that day, it crossed
Lake Erie into
Canada, and was absorbed by a larger extratropical storm over the
Cochrane District of
Ontario.
Preparations
50 hours prior to Isabel making landfall, the
National Hurricane Center issued a
hurricane watch from
Little River, South Carolina to
Chincoteague, Virginia, including the
Pamlico and
Albemarle Sounds and the lower
Chesapeake Bay. The NHC also issued a tropical storm watch south of Little River, South Carolina to the mouth of the
Santee River, as well as from Chincoteague, Virginia northward to
Little Egg Inlet,
New Jersey. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings were gradually issued for portions of the
East Coast of the United States. By the time Isabel made landfall, a tropical storm warning existed from Chincoteague, Virginia to
Fire Island, New York and from
Cape Fear,
North Carolina to the mouth of the Santee River in South Carolina, and a hurricane warning existed from Chincoteague, Virginia to Cape Fear. Landfall forecasts were very accurate; from three days prior, the average track forecast error for its landfall was only 36 miles (58 km), and for 48 hours in advance the average track error was 18 miles (29 km).
Officials declared mandatory evacuations for 24 counties in
North Carolina,
Virginia, and
Maryland, though in general not many left. According to a survey conducted by the United States Department of Commerce, evacuation rates were estimated as follows; 45% in the
Outer Banks, 23% in the area around the
Pamlico Sound, 23% in
Virginia under mandatory orders, and about 15% in
Maryland.
[18] The threat of Isabel resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents, primarily in North Carolina and Virginia, and included more than 12,000 residents staying in emergency shelters.
[19]
19 major airports along the
East Coast of the United States were closed, with more than 1,500 flights canceled. The
Washington Metro and Washington bus system closed prior to the arrival of the storm, and
Amtrak canceled nearly all trains south of the nation's capital. Schools and businesses throughout its path closed prior to Isabel's arrival to allow time to prepare; hardware and home improvement stores reported brisk business of plywood, flashlights, batteries, and portable generators, as residents prepared for the storm's potential impact. The federal government was closed excluding emergency staff members.
The
United States Navy ordered the removal of 40 ships and submarines and dozens of aircraft from naval sites near
Norfolk, Virginia.
[20]
Impact
Strong winds from Isabel extended from
North Carolina to
New England and westward to
West Virginia. The winds, combined with previous rainfall which moistened the soil, downed many trees and power lines across its path, leaving about 6 million electricity customers without power at some point. Coastal areas suffered from waves and its powerful storm surge, with areas in eastern North Carolina and southeast
Virginia reporting severe damage from both winds and the storm surge. Throughout its path, Isabel resulted in $3.6 billion in damage (2003 USD, $3.95 billion 2006 USD) and 47 deaths, of which 16 were directly related to the storm's effects.
[21]
The governors of
Pennsylvania,
West Virginia,
Maryland,
New Jersey, and
Delaware declared states of emergencies.
Isabel was the first major hurricane to threaten the
Mid-Atlantic States and the
South since
Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. Isabel's greatest impact was due to
flood damage, the worst in some areas of
Virginia since 1972's
Hurricane Agnes. More than 60 million people were affected to some degree — a similar number to Floyd but more than any other hurricane in recent memory.
[22]
Caribbean and Southeast United States
Powerful surf affected the northern coastlines of the islands in the
Greater Antilles. Strong swells also impacted the
Bahamas. During most hurricanes, the location of the Bahamas prevents powerful swells of Atlantic hurricanes from striking southeast
Florida. However, the combination of the location, forward speed, and strength of Isabel produced strong swells through the
Providence Channel onto a narrow 10 mile (16 km) stretch of the southeastern Florida coastline; wave heights peaked at 14 feet (4.3 m) at
Delray Beach.
The swells capsized a watercraft and injured its 2 passengers at
Boynton Beach, and a swimmer required assistance to be rescued near
Juno Beach. Minor beach erosion was reported in
Palm Beach County.
[23] In the northern portion of the state, waves reached up to 15 feet (4.5 m) in height at
Flagler Beach, causing the Flagler Beach Pier to be closed due to damaged boards from the waves.
[24] Rip currents from Isabel killed a surfer at an unguarded beach in
Nassau County, with an additional six people requiring rescue from the currents.
[25] The beaches were later closed during the worst of the rough surf.
[26]
In northeastern
South Carolina, the outer
rainbands produced moderate winds reaching 45 mph (72 km/h) at
Myrtle Beach. Rainfall was light, peaking at 1.34 inches (34 mm) in
Loris. There were no damage reports in the state.
[27]
North Carolina
Main articles: Effects of Hurricane Isabel in North Carolina
Damage to the Barrier Islands after Hurricane Isabel (USGS)
Isabel produced moderate to heavy damage across eastern North Carolina, totaling $450 million (2003
USD, $495 million 2006 USD).
Damage was heaviest in
Dare County, where storm surge flooding and strong winds damaged thousands of houses.
[28] The storm surge produced a 2,000 foot (600 m) wide inlet on
Hatteras Island, isolating
Hatteras by road for two months.
[29] Strong winds downed hundreds of trees of across the state, leaving up to 700,000 residents without power. Most areas with power outages had power restored within a few days.
The hurricane directly killed one person and indirectly killed two in the state.
[30]
Mid-Atlantic
Main articles: Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Virginia,
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Maryland and Washington, D.C.,
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Delaware
In
Virginia, strong winds from the hurricane extended across the state, downing hundreds of trees and leaving about 1.8 million without power. The
storm surge impact much of the southeastern portion of the state, peaking at an estimated 9 feet (2.7 m) in
Richmond along the
James River; the surge caused significant damage to homes along riverways.
[21] Further inland, heavy rainfall was reported, peaking at 20.2 inches (513 mm) in
Upper Sherando,
causing damaging and severe
flash flooding. Damage in the state totaled about $1.85 billion (2003 USD, $2.03 billion 2006 USD), among the costliest tropical cyclones in Virginia history.
The passage of Isabel also resulted in 32 deaths in the state, 10 directly from the storm's effects and 22 indirectly related.
About 1.24 million people lost power throughout
Maryland and
Washington, D.C. The worst of its effects came from its storm surge, which inundated areas along the coast and resulted in severe beach erosion. In
Eastern Maryland, hundreds of buildings were damaged or destroyed, primarily in
Queen Anne's County from tidal flooding. Thousands of houses were affected in Central Maryland, with severe storm surge flooding reported in
Baltimore and
Annapolis. Washington, D.C. sustained moderate damage, primarily from the winds. Throughout Maryland and Washington, damage totaled about $700 million (2003 USD, $775 million 2006 USD), with only one direct fatality due to flooding.
[32][33][34][35]
The effects of the hurricane in
Delaware were compounded by flooding caused by the remnants of
Tropical Storm Henri days before.
[36] Moderate winds of up to 62 mph (100 km/h) in
Lewes[37] downed numerous trees, tree limbs, and power lines across the state,
[38] leaving at least 15,300 without power.
[39] Numerous low-lying areas were flooded due to high surf, strong storm surge, or run-off from flooding further inland.
The passage of Hurricane Isabel resulted in $40 million in damage (2003 USD, $44 million 2006 USD) and no casualties in the state.
Northeast United States
Main articles: Effects of Hurricane Isabel in New Jersey,
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Pennsylvania,
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in New York and New England
Rainfall totals from Hurricane Isabel
Isabel passed 215 miles (350 km) southwest of the state, though its large wind core produced tropical storm force winds across much of the state. The winds downed hundreds of trees and power lines, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. A falling tree killed one person. Hurricane Isabel produced rough waves and a moderate storm surge along the coastline. One person was killed from the rough waves, and at least 50 locations along the
Jersey shore reported beach erosion from the hurricane. Damage in the state totaled $50 million (2003 USD, $55 million 2006 USD).
[40][41]
The passage of Hurricane Isabel in
Pennsylvania resulted in $160 million in damage (2003 USD, $175 million 2006 USD) and 2 indirect deaths in
Pennsylvania.
One person suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, believed to be caused due to improperly ventilated generators in an area affected by the power outages.
[42] Moderate winds left about 1.4 million customers without power across the state as a result of trees falling into power lines, with dozens of houses and cars damaged by the trees.
[43][44][45]
Damage in New York totaled $90 million (2003 USD, $98 million 2006 USD),
with Vermont reporting about $100,000 in damage (2003 USD, $110,000 in 2006 USD).
[46][47][48][49][50][51] Falling trees from moderate winds downed power lines across the region, causing sporadic power outages. Two people died in the region as a result of the hurricane, both due to the rough surf from Isabel.
Canada
Main articles: Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Canada
Impact from the storm in
Canada was fairly minor, including downed trees and power lines across southern Ontario.
[52] Isabel was indirectly responsible for one traffic fatality.
[53] A group of researchers flew into Isabel over Lake Erie and southern Ontario to study tropical cyclones transitioning into extratropical cyclones. The group also flew into two previous cyclones affecting Canada.
Mid-West United States
Main articles: Effects of Hurricane Isabel in West Virginia
In
West Virginia, 50 to 60 mph (50 to 60 km/h) wind gusts downed hundreds to thousands of trees across the state; previously heavy rainfall moistened the soil which allowed the winds to uproot the trees more easily. The falling trees severely damaged dozens of houses and left over 1.4 million without power. Rainfall from the storm caused flooding along the rivers in the eastern portion of the state. Damage totaled $20 million (2003 USD, $22 million 2007 USD).
Isabel dropped light to moderate precipitation across the eastern half of
Ohio, with isolated locations reporting over 3 inches.
[55] Moisture from Isabel dropped light rainfall across eastern
Michigan and peaked at 1.55 inches (39 mm) at
Mount Clemens. Additionally,
Doppler weather radar estimated rainfall approached 2.5 inches (64 mm) in
St. Clair County. No damage was reported from Isabel in the region.
[56]
Aftermath
By about a week after the passage of the hurricane,
President George W. Bush declared disaster areas for 36
North Carolina counties, 77
counties and independent cities in
Virginia, the entire state of
Maryland, all three counties in
Delaware and six
West Virginia counties. The disaster declaration allocated the use of federal funds for rebuilding and providing aid in the aftermath of hurricane Isabel.
By about four months after the passage of the hurricane, disaster aid totaled about $516 million (2003 USD, $576.3 million 2007 USD), primarily in North Carolina and Virginia. Over 166,000 residents applied for individual assistance, with about $117 million (2003 USD, $130 million) approved for for residents to assist with temporary housing and home repairs. About 50,000 business owners applied for Small Business Administration loans, with about $178 million (2003 USD, $199 million 2007 USD) approved for the assistance loans. About 40,000 people visited local disaster recovery centers, designed to provide additional information regarding the aftermath of the hurricane.
[57][58][59][60][61]
In
North Carolina, hundreds of residents were stranded in
Hatteras following the formation of
Isabel Inlet.
[30] People who were not residents were not allowed to be on the Outer Banks for two weeks after the hurricane due to damaged road conditions. When visitors were allowed to return, many ventured to see the new inlet, despite a 1 mile (1.6 km) walk from the nearest road.
[29] Initially, long term solutions to the Isabel Inlet such as building a bridge or a ferry system were considered, though they were ultimately canceled in favor of pumping sand and filling the inlet. Coastal geologists were opposed to the solution, stating the evolution of the Outer Banks is dependent on inlets from hurricanes.
[64] Dredging operations began on
October 17, about a month after the hurricane struck. The
United States Geological Survey used sand from the ferry channel to the southwest of Hatteras Island, a choice made to minimize impact to submerged aquatic vegetation and due to the channel being filled somewhat during the hurricane.
[65] On
November 22, about two months after the hurricane struck,
North Carolina Highway 12 and Hatteras Island were reopened to public access. On the same day, the ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke was reopened.
The name Isabel was retired after the 2003 season, and will not be used for future
Atlantic hurricanes. It was replaced by Ida for the naming list for the
2009 season.
[66] The names Ina and Ivy were also suggested as possible replacement names.
[67]
See also
★
List of notable Atlantic hurricanes
★
List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
Effects
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Canada
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Delaware
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in New Jersey
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in New York and New England
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in North Carolina
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Pennsylvania
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Virginia
★
Effects of Hurricane Isabel in West Virginia
External links
★
National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane Isabel
★
National Hurricane Center advisory archive for Hurricane Isabel
★
National Weather Service Assessment
★
Hurricane Isabel Satellite Movies showing landfall and dissipation
★
Category 5 Hurricane Isabel eye vortices java loop,
Interpretation of
References
1. Hurricane Isabel Tropical Cyclone Report Jack Beven & Hugh Cobb
2. September 2 Tropical Weather Outlook Franklin
3. September 3 Tropical Weather Outlook Avila
4. September 4 Tropical Weather Outlook Pasch
5. Tropical Storm Isabel Discussion One Avila
6. Tropical Storm Isabel Discussion Two Avila
7. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Six Stewart
8. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Seven Stewart
9. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Eight Jarvinen
10. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Sixteen Franklin
11. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Twenty-Six Beven
12. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Twenty-Eight Franklin
13. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Thirty Stewart
14. How the Swells of Hurricane Isabel Impacted Southeast Florida Richard J. David and Charles H. Paxton
15. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Thirty-Two Lawrence
16. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Thirty-Eight Franklin
17. Hurricane Isabel Discussion Forty-Eight Avila & Pasch
18. Hurricane Isabel Assessment, a Review of Hurricane Evacuation Study Products and Other Aspects of the National Hurricane Mitigation and Preparedness Program (NHMPP) in the Context of the Hurricane Isabel Response Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jernigan
19. America feels the wrath of Isabel Scotsman.com
20. Storm could cause 'extensive damage' CNN.com
21. Service Assessment of Hurricane Isabel United States Department of Commerce
22. Climate of 2003- Comparison of Hurricanes Floyd, Hugo and Isabel National Climatic Data Center
23. Event Report for Florida National Climatic Data Center
24. Event Report for Florida (2) National Climatic Data Center
25. Event Report for Florida (3) National Climatic Data Center
26. Event Report for Florida (4) National Climatic Data Center
27. Hurricane Isabel in South Carolina Wilmington, North Carolina National Weather Service
28. Event Report for North Carolina National Climatic Data Center
29. The Dynamic Landscape of the Outer Banks Fred Hurteau
30. Hurricane Isabel Aftermath Sunbelt Rentals
31. Service Assessment of Hurricane Isabel United States Department of Commerce
32. Event Report for Eastern Maryland National Climatic Data Center
33. Event Report for Central Maryland NCDC
34. Event Report for Western Maryland National Climatic Data Center
35. Event Report for Washington, D.C. National Climatic Data Center
36. Disaster Recovery Centers to Open FEMA
37. Hurricane Isabel Post Tropical Storm Report Gorse & Frugis
38. Event Report for Delaware National Climatic Data Center
39. Sporadic Power Outages Being Reported Across State Joint Information Center
40. Event Report for New Jersey National Climatic Data Center
41. Coastal Storm Survey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
42. Isabel death toll creeps higher CNN
43. Event Report for Southeast Pennsylvania National Climatic Data Center
44. Event Report for Central Pennsylvania National Climatic Data Center
45.
46. Event Report for Vermont NCDC
47. Event Report for Vermont (2) NCDC
48. Event Report for Vermont (3) NCDC
49. Event Report for Vermont (4) NCDC
50. Event Report for Vermont (5) NCDC
51. Event Report for Vermont (6) NCDC
52. Hurricane Isabel Summary in Canada Chris Fogarty
53. Atlantic hurricane season 2004 Outlook Canadian Hurricane Centre
54. Event Report for Hurricane Isabel National Climatic Data Center
55. Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Isabel David Roth
56. Remnants of Isabel Bring Rainfall to Southeast Michigan Friday Morning Detroit National Weather Service
57. State/Federal Disaster Aid Tops 5 Million in North Carolina FEMA
58. Commonwealth of Virginia Receives Nearly 7 Million In Disaster Assistance FEMA
59. Maryland Disaster Aid Nearing 0 Million FEMA
60.
61. Disaster Aid in Pennsylvania Surpasses Half Million Dollars FEMA
62. Hurricane Isabel Aftermath Sunbelt Rentals
63. The Dynamic Landscape of the Outer Banks Fred Hurteau
64. Shoring Up N. Carolina Islands: A Losing Battle? John Roach
65. Dredging Operations Begin Federal Emergency Management Agency
66. Final Report of the 2003 Hurricane Season World Meteorological Organization
67. Replacement Names for 2003 Atlantic Hurricanes (Fabian, Isabel, and Juan) and 2002 Hurricane Lili World Meteorological Organization
العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
Español
